AMSTERDAM — The former boss of the local amateur boxing who embraced Harry Tanamor like a kid brother thinks the two-time Olympian will remain among the biggest names to watch in the light-fly division because of his long, rich experience on top of the ring.

“Maaasahan pa rin yan (Tañamor) dahil sa tagal na niya sa labanan,’’ said former Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president Manny Lopez, in a tribute to the long-serving national boxer who’s making his fourth appearance in the AIBA World amateur boxing tournament starting on Monday.

In a phone interview a few days ago, Lopez said his long experience and time fighting against what he calls the ‘’usual suspects’’ will definitely serve Tanamor in good stead when he takes a shot at the gold medal he desperately wants.

“Medyo buwenas din si Harry sa tournament na ito. Hindi pa siya na-zero dito,’’ added Lopez, who discovered the Zamboanga City native when he competed more than a decade ago in the Go For Gold program initiated by his dad, former Manila Mayor Mel.

Indeed, this biennial tournament has been kind to Harry.

Two years ago in Chicago, he made the finals but lost to China’s Zou Zhiming, 3-17, as his third try at winning a gold medal in this very tournament went pftt again. In his first appearance in the meet in 2001 in Belfast, Ireland, he won a bronze, the same medal he brought home from bangkok, Thailand two years alter.

‘’Isa pa, hindi bugbog si Harry sa labanan. That’s another good reason why I think he’ll be in the fight for the gold this time,’’ added Lopez, who served the local association for more than a decade, taking over from his father.

Good thing, there’s no more Zou Zhiming to haunt him.

Zhiming reportedly retired after giving China its first Olympic gold medal in the sport during the Beijing Olympic Games last year, and was sorely missed in the first World Cup in Moscow last December.